Hurd, Moran cheer Senate passage of bill to modernize federal government technology

Legislation to update the federal government’s outdated information technology systems was approved by the Senate on Monday as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, a long overdue IT modernization plan praised by U.S. Rep. Will Hurd (R-TX) and U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran (R-KS).

The bipartisan Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Act aims to eliminate the billions of dollars the government spends on maintaining old IT systems while strengthening cybersecurity. Hurd led the measure in the House with support from House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), while Moran introduced the bill in the Senate.

“The amount of money that our federal government spends on antiquated technology is mindboggling,” said Hurd. “Outdated technology policies and poor cybersecurity hygiene have riddled government agencies for decades, leaving our digital information vulnerable to hacks and costing taxpayers billions,” added Hurd, the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform’s Information Technology Subcommittee.

“By incentivizing the transition to modern technology, we will allow the government to harness cutting-edge technologies, use each dollar more efficiently, strengthen our digital infrastructure and improve government services for everyone,” Hurd said.

The MGT Act would create a working capital fund comprised of the savings generated from 24 federal government agencies that update their technology, including streamlining IT systems, replacing legacy products and transitioning to cloud computing.

“The MGT Act is a critical step toward bringing our federal IT systems into the 21st century,” Moran said. “The improved efficiencies included in the legislation will strengthen our cybersecurity capabilities and reduce long-term wasteful spending.”

Lawmakers applauded the inclusion of the bill in the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2018 as a win for taxpayers.

“Senate passage of the Modernizing Government Technology Act is a major step forward in our goal of creating a more cost-efficient and digitally secure federal government,” McCarthy said. “By leveraging new technologies, we will save taxpayers money and deliver a well-overdue update to our nation’s IT systems.”

The legislation is supported by the White House Office of American Innovation and technology industry leaders.